Copyright Information: All images are in the public domain and available for free. If you use this image, credit NOAA/NGDC, D. Wellman, NOAA. |
View of the south face from less than three miles, during the height of the May 18, 1980, eruption. Note that steam as well as ash is billowing from the crater and that larger fragments are beginning to fall from the cloud. Rock fragments and pumice that were carried upward along with the ash rained down in an area that extended 25 to 30 miles to the north and east. This photo was taken from aboard the NOAA aircraft AEOLUS. Image Credit: D. Wellman. NOAA May 18, 1980 Mount Saint Helens USA volcano An earthquake occurred at 15 32 UT, only seconds before the explosion that began the eruption of Mount St. Helens volcano. This eruption and blast blew off the top of the volcano, reducing its elevation by 396 meters, killed 31 people and caused an estimated property damage of between $0.5 billion and $2 billion. About 53 earthquakes having magnitude larger than 4.5 were located near Mount St. Helens before the main event and eruption. No earthquakes having magnitudes higher than 4.5 were located following the eruption. |
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